Window channel



FeB. 27, 1940. P RA EN 2,191,549

' WINDOW CHANNEL Filed Oct. 22. 1937' mailman ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 27,"

UNITED STATES WINDOW CHANNEL Louis Spraragen, Bridgeport, Coma, assignor to The Bridgeport Coach Lace Company, Incorporated, Bridgeport, Connecticut Conn, a corporation of Application October 22,1937, Serial No. 170,357

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a window channel such as is used for example as a support or guide for the windows of automobiles and other vehlcies. An object of the invention is to provide .6 a channel of improved construction whereby it is of light weight, may be manufactured at low cost, will retain its shape indefinitely and will can be readily bent to follow curved shapes of the edges of windows, and to conform to the shape of the windowframe. F

These and other objects will become apparent from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof. It is however to be understood that various changes and modifications may be employed within the scope of the invention, and 1am therefore not limited to the specific construction shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of theinvention with the parts assembled in the flattened conditionand before bending the side members to form the channel shape;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing the completed channel mounted in a support, as a window frame, and showing the glass in place;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified construction; I

Fig. 5 shows the completed channel of Fig. 4 as mounted in place;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 3 but showing the channel used in a slightly difierent manner;

Fig. 7 is a detail cross section of one edge of the channel on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 3 showing another modification.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Figs. 1 and i2 show how the elements of the channel are assembled, they being assembled in .the fiat condition and then after assembling the side members are bent up to a substantially parallel position to provide the channel shape. In the construction shown the side members of the channel are formed by stiffening or reenforclng members to which are of an improved construction, they being composed of warp threads ll of suitable fiber, such for example as cotton, but may be of other suitable fibre threads or yarns, and weft memhere it of spring wire interwoven with the warp M is not necessarily so, but it is the preferred con- It is also'an object to provide a con-- I struction which may be easily assembled and struction as it permits the use of a greater number of the weft wires and gives greater stiffness, holding the shape better in the channel. There is one of these stiffening or reenforcing members or strips in each of the sides of the channel, and they are each enclosed in a fabric covering l3. This cover is preferably of woven cloth material forming a finishing covering and also a cushioning means to engage the sides of the glass it to yieldingly hold the glass and support it against injury by Jars and to prevent rattle and also guide it in the sliding movements.

Preferably, however, additional padding and guilding means is provided on the inner sides of th side members of the channel to engage the glass. This may be-plle woven with the fabric or it may be sponge rubber or other suitable material mounted on the inner sides of thechannel. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.this cushioning means comprises pile is woven in the fabric l3 and so located that when the fabric is applied around the stiffening or supporting strip II) this pile strip i5 is on the inner side of the legs or sides of the channel, as shown in Fig. 3. When the fabric i3 is woven it is woven so that this pile i5 is a relatively narrow strip running longitudinally of the fabric, and of the proper width to form the cushioning or guiding means for the glass, and the remainder of the fabric being woven plain or without this pile.

In assembling the fabric i3 is placed about the reenforcing strips I0 and the inner edge portions are placed so as to overlap a strip it of sheet metal or other suitable stiffening material, and then on top is placed another strip ll of I sheet metal or similar material, and the elements are all fastened together by any suitable means. In the present case they are shown as fastened by substantially .U-shaped staples '18 passed through the members and with their prongs folded over onto one of the members, such for example as the member ll. These staples therefore secure all the parts together. Of course other means may be employed to secure the parts together, such for example as welding, soldering, clinching, bonding, and so forth, but these staples are preferred as they effectively hold the parts together and may be easily and quickly applied.

The upper member I! may also be made channel-shaped with upwardly and inwardly inclined longitudinal flanges it which may be employed to hold a cushioning and guiding pad 20 for the edge of the glass It. This may be felt,

rubber or other suitable material, but in the present case is shown as a strip of fabric 20 secured by clamping the flanges i8 thereon and having the pile cushioning portion 2l= enga in the edge of the glass.

For stiffening the edges of the side members and for giving an improved or decorative appearance the edges of these channel side memmay be enclosed in metal beads 22, these being preferably of sheet metal bent to substantially a tube open at one side so that the free edges of the sides of the channel may be inserted therein and then the sides of the bead 22 pressed inwardly to grip. the channel members. If desired longitudinal warps or cords 23 may be woven in the fabric I! at the proper location so that when the fabric is folded about the stiffening members ill these cords come on the opposite sides of the free edge thereof as shown in Fig. '7, and the fabric may be woven by omitting one or more warp threads between these cords as indicated at 2! to form a sort of hinge and to permit the fabric to easily fold over the edge of the reenforcing member.

After the elements are assembled as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 the side members may be bent upwardly to substantially parallel relation to form the sides of the channel as indicated in Fig. 3. The reenforcing or stiffening wires l2 effectively hold the side members in proper position and form a support and guide for the side of the glass which will retain its shape and effectiveness indefinitely, and will retain their proper relation to the glass so that the guide will not loosen up, but will form a proper guide and holding means for theaglass for an indefinite period. This reenforcing cloth or webbing Ill when mounted and supported has a considerable spring resistance in predetermined shapes which permits close contact with the glass windows, allowing free movement of the window up and down, and in addition holding the window glass firmlyas a seal against weather and rattles. If desired the lower metal strip It may be covered with a suitable fibrous material such for example as a strip of tape 2!. After being bent to channel shape the channel may be moimted in a suitable support, such for example as the window frame 26, by any suitable means such as tacks 27 driven through the bottom of the channel into the frame. The side members of the channel comprising the reenforcing or stiffening member iii and the fabric covering are indicated by thenumeral 28.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the side members 28 of the channel are formed in thesame manner as in the first form but they are held together in a somewhat different manner. In this case the inner edges of the side members 28 comprising the reenforcing strip Ill and the fabric covering I! are inserted or molded in a central supporting member 2! of rubber and vulcanized in place, and then the sides are bent up to channel shape the sameas in the first form. Or these side members may be'molded in other suitable molding materials to form the base. The central member 19 may be provided with'a groove in its top surface with inclined side walls to support the cushioning member 30, corresponding to the cushioning member 2| of the first form, to engage and guide the edge of the glass.

In Fig. 6 is shown how the side members 2! may be with thisconstruction bent to different shapes. In this figure they are shown as being transversely curved instead of being straight as in Figs. 3 and 5. This brings the central portions nearer to the glass to give a somewhat less yielding guiding and supporting pad I8, and at the same time it makes sure the metal finishing bead is kept away from the glass to prevent rattles.

In Fig. 8 is shown a slight modification which is substantially the same asthat of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 except that instead of using pile I! as the cushioning means at the inner sides of the side walls 2. ofthe channel, these pads are formed by strips of sponge rubber 33 of any suitable shape, in the present case substantially semicyiindrical. They may be secured to the inner side of the stiffening member III by any suitable means such as cement, and then enclosed by the fabric covering 34 corresponding to the covering 1 II of the first form, this fabric extending over and covering pads 33 and forming the surface engaging the glass It. The edge pad ll corresponding to the pad 2| of the first form is shown as a strip of felt within the channel strip l1 and covered with fabric 31. It, however, may be of pile cushioning means such as that shown at II in Fig. 3. Otherwise the construction of Fig. 8 is the same as that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It will be evident that the fabric covering II may be of separate strips enclosing the reenforcing members it or it may be a continuous strip woven of sufficient width to cover both side members and extend between them over the central members.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that in each form the side members of the channel are provided by fabric members covering a reenforcing or stiffening member Ill of a cloth, fabric or webbing of a peculiar improved construction, which, although it may be assembled in the flat condition, may be bent to the channel shape after assembly and will effectively re- ,tain this shape to properly guide and support the glass indefinitely, but that different means or constructions may be employed to form the bottom wall of the channel and support the side members in proper relation.

ening members for the side walls together with the manner of securing the elements together permit the channel to be readily bent in the plane of the side walls to conform to the shape of curved glass or for going around corners, and to conform to the shape of the window frame. In other words this channel construction is of light weight, strong and sufilciently flexible to be bent to any desired shape but is sufiiciently rigid to retain its shape in use.

Having thus set forth the nature of'my invention, what I claim is:

1. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including stiffening members comprising fibre warps and spring wire wefts interwoven, said wire wefts forming loops at the inner edges of the stiffening members, and a fabric covering I for the stiffening members, resilient guide pads on the inner sides of said walls to engage the sides of the glass, a connecting base structure for the side walls overlapping the wire loops to secure the members against lateral separation, and an edge guide for the glass carried by said base structure.

2. A window channel comprising apair of side walls each including woven stifiening members having :fibre warps and wire wefts extending transverselythereof forming loops at the inner edges of the stiffening members, a fabric covering for said members, resilient guide pads for the glass on the inner sides of said walls, and a connecting base structure between the side walls adapted to be secured to a mounting and over- This is a light a weight channel and the construction of the stiffagainst lateral separation.

' 3. Awindow channel co g a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilientwirewefts extending transversely thereof, said wire wefts forming loops atthe inner edges of the stiffening members, a fabric covering enclosing said mem- 'having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof, said wire wefts forming loops at the inner edges of the stiffening members, the inner edges of said members being placed in opposed relation strips of stiffening material on said inner edges and overlapping them, securing means for fastening said strips and members together to secure the stiffening members against lateral separation, and a fabric covering for the stiffening members.

5. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members. the inner edges of said members being placed in opposed relation, strips of stiffening material on said inner edges and overlapping them, securing means for fastening said strips and members together to secure the members against lateral separation, the upper strip comprising a channel, an edge guide for a glass mounted in said channel, a fabric covering for thegstiffening members-for the side walla-and cushioning guide means for the glass on the inner sides of the side walls;

6. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, a fabric covering enclosing saidmembers having pile cushioning means for a glass at the inner sides of the walls overlapping said loops and connected thereto to secure the members against lateral separation, and a connecting base structure between the side walls.

'7. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, a fabric covering enclosing said members and folded over the free edges of the stiffening members, a metal bead embracing saidfolded edge portion, and a base structure between and connecting the inner edges of the side walls to secure the stiffening members against lateral separation.

8. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, the inner edges of said members being placed in opposed relation, strips of stiffening material on said inner edges and overlapping them, staples passing through the strips and stiffening members to secure them together and hold the members against lateral separation, the upper strip comprising a channel, a cushioning guide for the edge of a glass mount- A 2,101,549 3 lapping said wire loops to secure the side walls ed in said channeLa fabric covering for the stiffening members, and cushioning guides for the sides of the glass at the. inner sides of the side walls.

9. A window ohannel comprising a base and a pair of side walls, said side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, the inner edges of said members being connected to the base to secure the members against lateral separation, a fabric covering for each stiffening member folded over the free edge thereof, said fabric being woven with a warp omitted at the fold to form a hinge to facilitate folding, and a metal stiffening bead embracing the folded edge.

10. A window channel comprising a base and side walls, said side walls including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof, the inner edges of said members being connected to the base, a fabric covering for each stiffening member folded over the free edge thereof, said fabric being woven with a warp omitted at the fold to form a hinge to facilitate folding and also woven with longitudinal cords at the opposite sides of said hinge, and a metal stiffening bead embracing the folded edge and said cords.

11. A window channel comprising side walls including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, a fabric covering enclosing said members, and a connecting base member of rubber between the inner edges of the side walls, said edges being embedded and vulcanized in said base member to connect the side walls thereto.

12. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof forming loops at the inner edges of said members, a connecting base structure between said side walls and connected to said loops to secure the members against lateral separation, resilient sponge rubber cushioning guides at the inner sides of the side walls, and a fabric covering extending over said guides and the stiffening members.

13. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiffening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof, said wefts being a continuous wire looped upon itself at the opposite edges of the member, a fabric covering enclosing said members, and a base structure connecting the inner looped edge portions of the stiflening members to secure said members against lateral separation.

14. A window channel comprising a pair of side walls each including woven stiflening members having fibre warps and resilient wire wefts extending transversely thereof, said wefts being a continuous wire looped upon itself at the opposite edges of the member, a fabric covering enclosing said members including pile cushioning guides for a. glass located at the inner sides of the side walls, a base structure connecting the inner looped edge portions of the stiffening members to secure them against lateral separation, and a pile edge guide for the glass on the base member.

LOUIS SPRARAGEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. i Patent No. 2,191,51i9. February 27, 191p.

LOUIS SPRARAGEN. Y

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, sec- 0nd column, line 1b., for the word "guilding" reed "guiding" page 5, first column, lines ha, 1 9, end50, claim 6, strike out the come and words ",an' a conneotingibase strueture between the side walls" and insert thesame after "walls" in line 146, same ciaim; and that the sa id Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to"the V record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of June, A. D. 1914.0.

Henry Van Arsdale, a (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

